United States Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced today, September 3, 2008, that William McClafferty, a resident of Westmoreland County, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of health care fraud.

McClafferty, age 55, of New Kensington, Pennsylvania pleaded guilty to the charge before United States District Judge Gary L. Lancaster.

In connection with the guilty plea, Assistant United States Attorney Paul E. Hull advised the court that McClafferty participated in a scheme to defraud Highmark.  McClafferty along with the other defendants charged in the indictment allegedly accepted kickbacks from a chiropractor who submitted fraudulent claims for treatment under their insurance policies.  The chiropractor, Douglas Henderson of Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, earlier pleaded guilty in the case.

Judge Lancaster scheduled sentencing for January 9, 2009 at 10:30 a.m.  The law provides for a total sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of McClafferty.